Medical Malpractice

What to do if uninsured and pregnant in New York?

My sister has an ok job with a nonprofit organization that doesn't offer health insurance, and her husband is in retail with the same situation. She doesn't qualify for Healthy NewYork because of her income (it's too high), but once she has the baby, he/she will get coverage. Does she have to just suck up her medical costs, or are there other options? How have other mothers paid for their prenatal visits and hospital costs without insurance?

Public Comments

1. I suggest calling the local hospital and seeing if they have a program where you pay a co-pay, like through an organization. Maybe she could contact WIC and see if they can help her get prenatal care and delivery at a discount or free. Good luck
2. Is Healthy NewYork the same as state medicaid? Check this link she MIGHT be eligible because shes pregnant? http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/index.htm#income
3. Is she in NYC? If so, get to the financial office is a municipal facility, they are the experts. Locally referred to as a "city hospital"; My daughter was born at one of those, same circumstances. Any municipal hospital, anywhere, should be able to help.
4. Medicaid
5. She'll need to pay her medical costs like the rest of us!
6. I would try going down to DSS, because she's pregnant they should make an acception. If not then try going to a clinic, they can provide her services at a low cost as well as try to get her coverage.
7. I would suggest checking with WIC and Planned Parenthood. I would think she would qualify for state health care, because she is pregnant. We have several programs in Michigan. She would have to make alot of money not to qualify. (we have free or spend down insurance through the state, where the family is responsibile for some %) She needs to do alot of checking around.